Supro · Import guide
Importing from China to Latin America
What an order from China involves for a company in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Chile or Costa Rica: timing, taxes, paperwork and the dates that matter.
Chinese New Year
Last day to order for shipment before the break
Chinese factories close for about three weeks around the New Year. Orders placed late will not leave before the break.
23:59 · China time
- Last day to order for shipment before the break
- Factories close
- New Year's Day
- Factories back at full speed
2027
About the Chinese New Year
The Year of the Goat
Fire Goat · 丁未 · begins 6 February 2027
The Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, is China's most important holiday. It follows the lunar calendar, so it falls on a different day each year, between 21 January and 20 February. Each year is named after one of twelve animals; 2027 is the Year of the Goat.
Families gather from all over the country. Hundreds of millions of people travel home, among them most of the workers on factory lines, many of whom live hundreds or thousands of kilometres from their hometown.
- New Year's Day
- 6 February 2027
- Public holiday
- 5 Feb – 12 February 2027 expected; the official dates are published by the State Council, usually in November
- Lantern Festival
- 20 February 2027
What it means for production
Illustration based on the usual pattern; each factory differs.
- Two to three weeks before the holiday, workers start leaving for home and output slows down.
- Factories close for the public holiday and often for a week or two around it.
- Workers come back gradually, many only after the Lantern Festival, fifteen days after New Year's Day.
- Some do not return at all. New staff need training, so the first weeks back are slower and need closer quality checks.
- Shipping space is tight and freight rates usually rise in the weeks before the holiday.
How long an order takes
- 01
Quotation
3–7 daysFactory-backed prices with lead time and minimum order.
- 02
Samples
1–2 weeksPre-production samples, sent to you by courier.
- 03
Production
30–45 daysFrom deposit to finished goods; longer for new moulds or packaging.
- 04
Inspection & loading
3–5 daysFinal inspection, report to you, then container loading.
- 05
Sea transit
28–40 daysDepends on the port, see below.
By country
IVA 19%
19%Import duty
0–40%Ports and sea time from Shanghai
30–35days40HQ
3,100USD reference rateDuties and taxes
- Import duty on the CIF value: mostly 0–15%; textiles, apparel and footwear can reach 35–40%.
- IVA 19% on CIF plus duty (some goods 5% or exempt).
Trade agreement with China
None. Goods from China pay the general duty.
Ports and sea time from Shanghai
Buenaventura about 30–35 days; Cartagena about 35–40 days.
To import you need
- RUT with import activity and an active NIT.
- A licensed customs agency for shipments over USD 1,000 FOB.
- Andean value declaration with each import.
Watch for
- Technical regulations and labelling for textiles, footwear, toys and electrical goods.
- Items in contact with food (cups, bottles, kitchenware) must meet INVIMA sanitary rules.
Rates last checked 2026-10-07
IGV 16% + IPM 2%
18%Import duty
0–11%Ports and sea time from Shanghai
28–32days40HQ
2,800USD reference rateDuties and taxes
- Ad valorem duty 0%, 6% or 11% on the CIF value.
- IGV 16% + IPM 2% on CIF plus duty.
- IGV perception (usually 3.5%) paid in advance and later credited.
Trade agreement with China
Peru–China FTA: with a certificate of origin many products enter at 0% duty.
Ports and sea time from Shanghai
Callao about 28–32 days.
To import you need
- Active RUC, enabled for imports.
- A customs agent (agente de aduana) for commercial imports.
Watch for
- Food-contact items need DIGESA sanitary authorisation.
- Labelling in Spanish for consumer goods.
Rates last checked 2026-10-07
IVA 15%
15%Import duty
0–30%Ports and sea time from Shanghai
30–35days40HQ
3,000USD reference rateDuties and taxes
- Ad valorem duty according to the tariff code.
- FODINFA 0.5% on the CIF value.
- IVA 15% on CIF plus duty and FODINFA.
- ISD 5% on payments sent abroad.
Trade agreement with China
Ecuador–China FTA in force since 1 May 2024: many lines at 0%, others phasing down over 5–20 years. A certificate of origin is required.
Ports and sea time from Shanghai
Guayaquil about 30–35 days.
To import you need
- RUC and registration as importer in ECUAPASS (with an electronic signature).
- A customs agent for most commercial imports.
Watch for
- INEN technical regulations and labelling for many consumer goods.
- ARCSA rules for products in contact with food.
Rates last checked 2026-10-07
IVA 19%
19%Import duty
0–6%Ports and sea time from Shanghai
32–38days40HQ
3,200USD reference rateDuties and taxes
- General duty 6% on the CIF value; most goods from China pay 0% under the trade agreement.
- IVA 19% on CIF plus duty.
Trade agreement with China
Chile–China FTA in force since 2006: with a certificate of origin almost all goods enter at 0% duty.
Ports and sea time from Shanghai
San Antonio or Valparaíso about 32–38 days.
To import you need
- RUT (tax ID) of the importing company.
- A customs agent for imports over USD 1,000 FOB.
Watch for
- Electrical products need SEC certification before sale.
- Items in contact with food must meet the Ministry of Health's sanitary rules.
Rates last checked 2026-10-07
IVA 13%
13%Import duty
0–15%Ports and sea time from Shanghai
30–35days40HQ
3,000USD reference rateDuties and taxes
- Import duty (DAI) according to the tariff code, mostly 0–15%.
- 1% on the CIF value (Ley 6946).
- IVA 13% on CIF plus duties and taxes.
Trade agreement with China
Costa Rica–China FTA in force since 2011: with a certificate of origin many products enter at reduced or 0% duty.
Ports and sea time from Shanghai
Caldera (Pacific) about 30–35 days; Moín / Limón (Caribbean) about 35–40 days.
To import you need
- Importer registration in the TICA customs system.
- A licensed customs agent (agente aduanero) is mandatory.
Watch for
- Spanish labelling under RTCR technical regulations.
- Ministry of Health requirements for food-contact and some consumer goods.
Rates last checked 2026-10-07
Documents we send with every shipment
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin, when a trade agreement applies (Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Costa Rica)
- Inspection report with photos
- Any certificates or test reports agreed in the order
Rules change. This page is a starting point for planning; your customs broker has the final word.